Introducing Meet Me at the Wall

Bringing Ancestry to Life

Join Anne Goodwin, Betsy Schmiechen, and Doug Marconnet as they introduce their new podcast 'Meet Me at the Wall,' launching on January 12th. The podcast is based on hundreds of letters saved by Anne's grandmother, spanning from the late 1800s through the 1960s. They share stories of colorful characters from different eras, such as World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. With deep dives into personal experiences, historical figures and events, the podcast aims to provide listeners with a 'pleasurable pause' as they explore fascinating stories from their time travels.

Arriving Sweet Briar

In the inaugural episode of 'Meet Me at the Wall,' our hosts introduce a podcast dedicated to uncovering and bringing to life the history of Anne's grandmother, Florence Westgate. Anne details how her deep dive into letters written to her grandmother led her to write historical fiction based on real-life nuggets of history such as Florence's romantic entanglements and the tight-knit community of Sweet Briar College. The hosts ponder the ephemeral nature of modern communications compared to the lasting legacy of handwritten letters, and also touch on the historical context of the changing oil industry and its impact on their families. The episode includes sketches inspired by these letters, setting the stage for a season devoted to the 1920s.

00:00 Introduction to Meet Me at the Wall

01:38 Discovering the Letters

04:07 Time Traveling with Florence

08:54 The Sweetbriar Girls

11:31 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

26:47 Truth or Historical Fiction

30:35 Ink on Paper vs. The Cloud

32:24 The Oil Business and Community Impact

34:21 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Link to show notes and photos

We’re Family Now

Anne explores her grandmother's history through century-old letters, discussing the concept of a 'Mrs. degree' and Sweet Briar College traditions. She recounts a visit to Sweet Briar and the emotional impact of walking in her grandmother’s footsteps. Anne also shares a poignant sketch depicting an adoption ceremony created for a friend in need, blending fact and fiction to highlight enduring friendships.

00:54 The Concept of a Mrs. Degree

02:45 Exploring Sweet Briar College

05:27 Meeting at the Wall

10:53 The Amazement Journal

14:12 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

26:38 Lifelong Friendships and Letters

31:26 Fact or Historical Fiction

Link to show notes and photos

The Tryst

From Reggie's relentless affection to Ben's sincere courtship, this episode delves into Florence's challenging decision between her suitors. Offering insights into the Sweetbriar College era, the hosts touch upon the historical context and familial influences shaping Florence's choices. Additionally, the show features a touching segment recounting Anne’s recent visit to connect with a descendant of one of Florence’s friends, providing a rich tapestry of both personal and historical narratives.

00:43 Confessions

01:32 The Tryst: Unveiling Secrets

04:10 Love Letters and Romantic Gestures

08:48 Overlapping Engagements

11:11 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

27:20 Fact or Historical Fiction

36:29 A Special Meeting

Link to show notes and photos

Anne shares Ted's story of enlisting in WWI, showing how history intertwines with personal decisions. Our hosts also explore ephemera and artifacts such as a housekeeper's chatelaine, dance cards, and cookbooks, emphasizing how these connect us to the past. Sketches about Florence’s life reveal her engagement dilemma and her eventual decision. The conversation wraps up with a teaser for the next episode…the wedding episode!

01:01 The Quest for Grandmother's Letters

01:50 Ted's War Story

04:03 Exploring Historical Artifacts

11:18 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

20:49 Fact or Historical Fiction

25:35 The Bobbed Hair Rebellion

29:23 Looking Forward to the Wedding Episode

Link to show notes and photos